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The Chairman of Mushin Local Government Hon. Olatunde Adepitan has said that with research and education, the world has become a global village. He said this at the inauguration of an ultra-modern Library situated at Bishop Aggey by Da-silva street, Mushin.

According to the chairman, one of the ways to remove poverty and illiteracy is to create an atmosphere that will elicit curiosity in our youths as education has become an agent for development. “This library is an avenue for our youths to compete favourably with other youths in other developed societies.

“As a government, we have to come to realise that one of the ways to lure people out of poverty is to encourage them to go to school. This library is called Hybrid because a part shall be dedicated to Hardware’s while another side will be dedicated to software. The library will be I.T compliant so that our youth, children and the aged can learn new ideas and technologies with ease”.

He implored the well-to-do to invest in the library and equip it with modern facilities.

“The children that are not trained may end up being a big threat to those that are trained tomorrow. In other developed societies, people will a portion of their investments to public utilities like a library in order to enhance equity and even development “

Corporate organisations were urged to partner with the local government on the best possible ways to equip the library. The library can only meet its target audience when the necessary modern facilities are provided.

“It is gratifying to note that many companies are very enthusiastic to support this noble idea. If we only complain that youths are restive without providing a better alternative, this society may be stagnant. This government is using the library is a better alternative to idleness poverty and development. We are still soliciting support and assistance.

We are still seeking expert advice, especially at the Lagos State University and other higher institutions.

As a teacher, 78-year-old Professor Michael Iyiola Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has taught many accomplished lawyers and jurists. He reflects on his teaching experiences in this encounter with Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN. He also speaks on his life after retirement from the classroom.

Asked what they do for a living, not a few bona fide teachers would veil their faces in ‘shame’ and mumble: “I’m just managing a job.” But with broad smiles, this teacher of sublime erudition gleefully beat his not-so-broad chest and proudly declared to this reporter: “I’m a teacher and I thank God I’m one!”

At certain times within his 18-year-long classroom job, he taught former Attorney- General and Minister for Justice Chief Bayo Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (OFR), also a SAN, and numerous other legal professionals of no mean order. Welcome to the world of Law Professor Michael Iyiola Jegede (SAN).

“Sure, this accomplished Nigerian must have humility, meekness, modesty, hard work and Godliness as his middle names,” this reporter soliloquised within himself. It was barely four minutes into his encounter with the “Law General” at his exquisite chamber, M.I Jegede & Co Solicitor & Advocates, on the first floor of Achilles Place, 11, Maye Street, off Commercial Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.

It appeared he had trained his workers in social tact. They had evinced impressive alloy of humility and politeness as they, one after the other, welcomed this reporter into their Principal’s office.

With his modest dressing (neatly embroidered buba and trousers with cap to match), Jegede’s mien showed clearly that discipline was a principal ingredient of his upbringing.

Looking athletic, he appeared full of beans even at almost eight decades on the face of the earth. His socio-economic and academic stature meant nothing to the intellectual giant as he jumped onto his feet to welcome this reporter with a warm handshake.

At this point, the reporter opted to find out why he was still stressing his nerves instead of enjoying his retirement at home.

He flashed a smile, nodded his head and responded: “Idleness has never been in my character. I’m still fit. I get here 12 noon and won’t leave until 7pm because, though I seldom go to courts these days, I sit to argue cases and exchange ideas with my junior colleagues here in preparation for whatever case we are handling. It is my calling which has become my second nature.

“This legend’s background must have had effects on his life journey,” the reporter told himself. And he suggested it to him. Then his reply: “Well, you are not wrong.”

Born into a polygamous family in Ilesa, Osun State, Jegede hinted that besides the fact that his cocoa merchant father appreciated the value of education, being focused in life had helped shape his life journey.

“My good father had 13 wives and 30 children. But, despite that, he took the education of his children seriously. He connected me with educated people, thus, enabling me to appreciate the value of education early in life. However, despite the inherent vicissitudes of polygamy and the wealth of our father on the other hand, I remained committed to making it in life through hard work,” he said.

With nostalgia, he recounted that he attended Methodist School, Otapete, Ilesa between 1940 and 1944; Ilesa Grammar School, where he had the opportunity of meeting with colleagues from good homes; Kings College, University of London; Yale Law School, Yale University; New Haven Connecticut, USA, where he obtained Masters of Law and eventually capped it up with a doctorate degree in the Science of Law between 1964 and 1969.

He was called to English Bar on November 27, 1962; got admission to practise in Nigeria in 1964 and was called to the Nigerian Inner Bar in September 2006 at the age of 72.

However, way back in 1964, his academic journey began when he started lecturing at the University of Lagos as a foundation member of the school’s Law Faculty. “Today, I feel fulfilled being a teacher. Whenever I see or hear about the legendary performances of most of my students, I feel great,” he intoned.

In 2002, as he continued to tell his story, he became a Fellow of the Society of Advanced Legal Studies, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.

Aside being a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos for over nine years, Jegede was a member of the Council for Legal Education between 1975 and 1980. And before the appointment of the late Justice Akinola Aguda as substantive director, Jegede was the first de facto director/coordinator of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). He later became a member of the Institute’s Governing Council between 1987 and 1994.

Also a prolific author, editor and publisher of countless law publications, Jegede has, in the course of his practice, after retiring from academic work in 1982, successfully handled and contested many cases, from the High Courts through Appeal and the Supreme Court.

But what would you recall as the most heartening highpoint of your academic experience? He was asked. He responded with glee,exuding fulfillment: “It was my invitation as visiting Professor by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan in 1981, to assist in the establishment of the Faculty of Law in the institution.

“The feat always gives me boundless internal joy. I held the position of first visiting Professor and Head of Department of Law of the University of Ibadan until I voluntarily resigned my position on December 31, 1983 after the faculty had been firmly established under my leadership.”

He has served his fatherland in various other capacities, especially in April 2006 when he was appointed Chairman, National Committee on the Reform of Legal Education in Nigeria.

Jegede is a member of the NBA as well as the Nigerian Society of International Law.

All work and no play, it is often said, makes Jack a dull boy. Jegede also holds the membership of the prestigious Metropolitan Club of Lagos; member and past Chairman, Ilesa Frontliners; member, Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association and the Nigerian Red Cross Society for 30 years running now. He was the Honorary Legal Adviser of the Society between 1982 and January, 2001.

Like most concerned Nigerians, Jegede has had to go to bed many times over without his heart in the proper place over the somersault that has, for sometime, now, become the lot of the integrity of the judiciary in the eyes of the public.

“Who is that genuine stakeholder that is not disturbed by the public perception of the judiciary, today? It rattles me to the marrow every passing moment because my coming into the profession ab initio was premised on my conviction that I was embracing a respectable profession. See what is happening today. The judiciary has not put itself up as one that should be respected; this is why the public appears to have lost confidence in it.” he reacted in agony when his feeling was sought by this reporter.

“Not too long ago,” he continued, “Kayode Eso, a stakeholder of repute, alerted Nigerians that some judges who sat on electoral cases were already billionaires. And for such a personality to say that, he must have done exhaustive research. Eminent lawyers like Afe Babalola and other eminent jurists and lawyers too have bemoaned the ugly development which has become a festering sore among lawyers and judges. The judiciary has the urgent duty to re-examine itself with a view to shedding off the bad image.”

Fury took over him when, from personal experience, he lamented the undue delay in legal processes in Nigerian courts.

He dropped a bombshell: “I can tell you that I have a case in my hands that has been going